Re: "The taxman cometh."

[Francis Hsu <francis@ai.mit.edu>]

Sorry, my original reply only went to Jim rather than the board,
so this may be a little confusing since it is my reply to Jim's reply to
my reply. ;)

According to ESPN, Abdur-Rahim was formally introduced by the Hawks as their
starting power forward.  Kukoc will be the starting small forward.  So
their starting center is going to be either Mohammed or Ratliff.

I don't imagine Atlanta has any intention of Ratliff being a backup center,
with his abilities and the money they're paying him.  If Atlanta is going
to resign Mohammed with the intent of making him the starting center, I think
Ratliff would be on the trading block (his contract is more expensive and
longer than Anderson's).

So under these assumptions, I think Atlanta would consider Kenny Anderson
and Battie for Ratliff and cap filler.  As good as Ratliff is, I am wary
of what Ratliff's contract + the contract of the useless players that
would accompany him.

On Tue, Jul 03, 2001 at 09:53:03PM -0400, JBMetzEA@aol.com wrote:
> 
> In a message dated 7/3/01 5:24:54 PM, francis@ai.mit.edu writes:
> 
> << On Tue, Jul 03, 2001 at 03:53:36PM -0400, Jim Metz wrote:
> >    That leaves Center. Nazr Mohammed is on everyone's lips, but my feeling
> > is that he has been promised the starting spot in Atlanta and they can offer
> > him more than any othe team. End of story. Mark Jackson of G.S.? Again, I
> 
> If Mohammed is promised the starting spot, then we can go after Ratliff?
> 
> How about Kenny Anderson and Tony Battie for Theo Ratliff plus cap crap?
> 
> Atlanta can then sign Mohammed to be the starting center, Battie as backup
> center, frees themselves of Ratliff's contract, and gets the veteran point
> guard they need.
> 
> We get Ratliff as our starting center, but also some useless players to go
> along with him.
> 
> Francis
>  >>
> 
> Hi Francis;
> I don't think your post got to the board, so I'll answer it offline.
> 1. Ratliff should be the Hawks power forward. He played center with Philly, 
> but is better suited for the 4. Nazr is shopping himself, but I think it is 
> just to get a bigger salary from Atlanta. They can match any offer.
> 2. Anderson and Battie for Ratlif? That would be a dream come true. Atlanta 
> won't bite. Anderson has negative value because of his huge salary over the 
> next two years.
> JB